Wind-Forced Transport Fluctuations of the Florida Current

Abstract

Volume transport fluctuations of the Florida Current (Gulf Stream), generated within the Straits of Florida by local meridional wind stress, are investigated. A simple coastal response model was applied to the Straits of Florida and forced by along-channel winds only. The predicted volume transports were in good agreement with transport estimates derived from moored current meters and cable voltages for synoptic scale winter winds in the period band from 4 to 10 days. Good agreement was also found for the annual transport cycle for the two years of available data, suggesting that the seasonal change in along-channel wind forcing provides a significant contribution to the annual transport cycle of the Florida Current.